NIJ body armor standard advisory notice #01-2005

EFFECTIVE DATE:  AUGUST 24, 2005
SUBJECT: Poly-p-phenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO or Zylon®)

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) hereby advises that it has identified poly-p-phenylene benzobisoxazole (commonly known as PBO or Zylon®) as a material that appears to create a risk of death or serious injury as a result of degraded ballistic performance when used in body armor. This is an NIJ Body Armor Standard Advisory Notice within the meaning of the NIJ 2005 Interim Requirements for Bullet-Resistant Body Armor (effective September 26, 2005).

For Further Information, Contact:

Lance Miller
National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center
2277 Research Boulevard
Mail Stop 8-J
Rockville, MD  20850
(301) 519-5472
E-Mail:  lmiller@nlectc.org

Supplementary Information:

Information about NIJ’s 2005 Interim Requirements for Bullet-Resistant Body Armor can be found at http://www.justnet.org. NIJ’s research and testing reports in response to the Attorney General’s Body Armor Safety Initiative can be found at: https://vests.ojp.gov.

  NIJ encourages public safety officers to continue to wear their Zylon®-containing armor until it is replaced.  Wearing armor that may have degraded ballistic performance is better than not wearing any armor.

Related Information:

3rd government status report on Zylon released yesterday: What does it mean for officers and agencies?

Zylon vests fail to stop bullets 58 percent of time in government tests

Full Report (PDF File): Third Status Report to the Attorney General on Body Armor Safety Initiative Testing and Activities

Report Summary: NIJ Body Armor Safety Initiative Status Report Executive Summary

NIJ Body Armor Safety Initiative Online Resource Page: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bvpbasi/